Vitiligo Beauties. Many shades of uniqueness

  Some are dark skinned, others fair skinned and some of us have the privilege of being both. To me that’s special and I term those of us who fall into this category vitiligo beauties. Today, 25th of June is tagged world Vitiligo day and as someone who has some vitiligo patches, I chose to share my experience and that of some others.

Photo credit. @la_illustration on instagram

   Technically  vitiligo isn’t having a fair and a dark skin , it’s when patches of skin loose their pigmentation, these patches appear white and hair follicles in affected areas tend to appear white too.  Vitiligo affects both dark skinned and fair skinned people. These patches can be located on any part of the body and be of any size too.
 

Photo credit. Google images

Vitiligo is a skin disease that leaves a sufferer with an uneven skin tone, hypopigmented lesions amidst the person original skin tone. In a  world that has a stereotype for the word beautiful, it can be quite tough for those with the disease to blend in. Those ignorant of the disease tend to see  sufferers as natures freaks and the fear of it being  contagious is rife. Newsflash, Vitiligo isn’t a communicable disease, no one can contract it by coming in contact with one who has it.
 
   As a little girl running around the house without the knowledge of what it meant to have an even skin tone, I never cared if a part of my skin was shades lighter than other parts. The  particular spot it started from was pinched so hard by my dad because he wanted to be sure I could feel pain at that spot. He was hoping I haven’t picked up leprosy which presents with hypopigmented lesions and loss of sensation. Vitiligo doesn’t present with loss of sensations. My mum on the other hand was worried about the future, she didn’t want a child with different shades of skin colour, who will become a recluse because of the stigma attached most times.
    Doctor shopping commenced, trying of different topical medications couldn’t be avoided and application of herb extracts that are most times sticky despite knowing there was no known cure became the order of the day. However, repigmentation does occur sometimes with aid of steroids and  turnover of new skin cells.
   
     My case is a little bit different from the experiences of other sufferers in the vitiligo support group (yes we have a support group and I totally subscribe). I was never stigmatized at least not to my knowledge. The soles of my feet are  white and rather than make fun of me, I had people who loved and wished to have  it because my feet always appeared clean. The vitiligo patch present on my lips made friends who wished for pink lips like it. Their reactions were quite strange and I had to repeatedly explain that it was a medical condition. There were those who always asked me if I got burnt by hot oil and I my response, ”No, How does one get scalded by hot oil , affecting the lips and feet excluding other parts of the body?” leaves them more confused and this is followed by a lengthy explanation. To be candid, granting these explanations can be so tiring but then they get to know I ain’t a freak of nature. I feel bad when I read about the experiences of other sufferers, some were tagged witches or  wizards, others were treated like they suffered from a life threatening condition and the worst is when people tell their kids not to have a handshake with sufferers for fear of contracting the disease.
I have seen people who have to battle with the stigma and rejection leaving their self esteem in shambles. Some are scared of going into an emotional relationship because of the fear of rejection which should not be.  The affectation of the psychological and emotional well being is more pronounced when these patches appear on exposed areas like the face and hands.
 

Photo credit. @antoniodjanikian on instagram

 
   This may sound odd, I actually love my vitiligo patches, its part of who I am now. You may term it a coping mechanism but it works for me.  I see it as been unique, and if we all get to sample our feet, I always get to stand out. I mean, who doesn’t want to stand out in a crowd.
   To those who have vitiligo like me, I want you all to know ,we are beautiful no matter our skin colour or uneven skin tone. Vitiligo may have no cure but we don’t care cause it can be managed. Use your sunscreen and find a support group closest to you, when there is a new development you would most likely hear first from such groups. If those around give you that condescending look, raise your shoulders like kings and Queens,make them realise it isn’t easy to be extraordinary and be amongst the 1% of people with vitiligo globally.

Waste and our environment

Africa is sitting on a gold mine and we are yet to realise our luck. This gold mine has for long been seen as not having an intrinsic value. The gold mine is our waste. Waste generation and particularly its disposal has been a huge environmental challenge which has plagued  developing countries like mine; Nigeria. This challenge is even more pronounced in the community I live, Kano State, Nigeria. Kano is the most populous black community in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of over 10 million persons as stated in the last Nigeria census in 2006 and demographic projections for 2016. A large population like this comes with challenges in waste management. Such waste include domestic waste, toxic waste, biodegradable waste and recyclable waste. Most of these waste  are produced in households and in few instances as seen in toxic waste, industries.
  Sadly management of this waste has become a matter of concern which has made a great impact in the society we live in. It’s a negative impact. This has become a public health menace and a serious threat to our society and the future we hope to build for our unborn children. Urbanization and Rural-Urban Migration has been fingered to contribute to this challenge. Poor planning, resource limitation and lack of innovation in dealing with emerging problems are  also contributors to this environmental degrading problem.
  Effective management of our waste system using locally drawn technology and intelligence seems to be the solution to our problems.  These solutions should be backed by effective policy and laws which would protect them and ensure they become a part of our lifestyle and country's mantra.
   Management systems include, reduction of greenhouse gases by proper disposal of biodegradable organic waste.This in turn would help in reducing the problem of climate change. Greenhouse gases like methane can be used to produce electricity. Power cuts and inadequate production of power is a perennial problem in Nigeria which has defied all forms of solution. This may perhaps be the solution we long for. Outbreak of diseases which have a public health significance would be greatly reduced if water and air  pollution caused by poor waste handling is reduced significantly.
   Attitudinal change is by far the most important aspect of environmental preservation. The common perception which have long been inherent in most people from my country is that, the environment should give way for human development and the environment should suffer for our development and preservation. Re-education on the benefits of environmental preservation should be reemphasized via mass media, formal education and faith based organizations.
   Reward systems for waste management should be encouraged, policies and acts which allow for these  reward systems to be concreted into national lifestyle should be enacted.
   Individually, we all can aim at waste reduction by making better and healthier choices when items are purchased in order to reduce waste generation. One can opt for fresh vegetables rather than their Canned substitutes. Cooked food bought from vendors can be served in plates that can be taken home, washed and reused instead of the popular Styrofoam take away packs.
   Some of those who engage in improper waste disposal are ignorant of the impact their actions have on the environment. Education of people on proper ways to dispose waste and the aftermath if not properly done would go a long way in preserving the environment.
  In cases where people understand and know what to do as regards proper waste disposal but seem to lack choices, assistance from the government and well meaning bodies comes in to play. Policies guiding proper waste collection, processing and disposal should be put in place and they should be enforced.
   Good waste collection and operation of sanitary land fills would reduce the waste which end up as litters thus discouraging open air dumping of refuse. Separation of types of waste and its treatment at site of generation would go a long way in reducing the quantity of waste generated and lessen the effect on the environment.
  Introduction of a re call process of non-biodegradable wastes would reduce waste burden, most times this class makes up the litters found at dump sites. Solid wastes like empty bottles, plastics and cans can be recalled with an incentive and in turn processed and sold to manufacturers as raw materials.
  Waste reuse is evident in the production of biomass energy. If developing countries can delve into to use of biomass energy instead  of fossil fuel a huge portion of the environment would be preserved.
  Reclaiming of  materials and parts from a product that has been worn out or rendered obsolete would preserve the environment by reduction of the waste burden.
    Waste would always be generated but the reduction of waste means less environmental impact. We can choose to ignore these problems while harming our environment as a result of our actions and inactions or decide to tackle the problem and preserve the environment.

By Mayuku-Dore Alero.

managing that Fishy smell during sex

Babe,what's that smell? Is there a rotten fish somewhere?

On health corner today we would be discussing how to deal with fishy smell emanating from the vagina during sex.

 Fishy smell after coitus is not a singular diagnostic factor but when someone has such complains what comes to mind is bacterial vaginosis.

  Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina caused by bacteria. Normally there are alot of good bacteria and some bad bacteria in the vagina. The good bacteria help to limit the quantity and hence effect of the bad bacteria. when there is an upset in the balance and the good bacteria is reduced in number, bacterial vaginosis can result.

  Although bacterial vaginosis is not considered as a sexually transmitted disease, sexual activity has been linked to its development.  Evidence that doesn't support an exclusive sexually transmitted role is its occurrence in virginal females.

 The following are the symptoms and signs of bacterial vaginosis

 -Vaginal odour,fishy odour after sexual intercourse or sometimes during menstruation
 -  Increased vaginal discharge,which is thin and homogenous
 -Vulvar irritation
 - Dysuria which could be urgency or frequency in urination
 -Dyspareunia which is pain during sexual intercourse

 There are risk factors which could increase the chances of developing bacteria vaginosis and they include;
- Recent antibiotic use
 -Douching
 -Tub and bubble bath
 -Wearing an intrauterine device
 -Having a new sexual partner
 -Having numerous sexual partners

Diagnosis and management of bacterial vaginosis
 When the symptoms above a noted present to a gynecologist for proper evaluation, to ensure that the necessary laboratory tests are done because there are other conditions that present with vaginal discharge.
 Though some bacterial vaginosis resolve after a few days without drug treatments the mainstay of treatment is with the use of antibiotics

 Complications of untreated /long standing bacterial vaginosis include the following :
-Endometritis
-Salpingitis
-Pelvic inflammatory diseases
-Even in pregnancy it can result in premature rupture of membranes, post partum Endometritis and a host of other. complications.

Though the causative organisms can be present in the urethra of the males, they are generally asymptomatic and they can serve as a source of re infection .

You can reduce your chances as of acquiring the above mentioned by 
1)avoid Douching,the vagina has a natural cleansing mechanism. Do you think all women before the era of Douching were roaming the streets with smelly vaginas?
2)stop using liquid soap while washing the vagina
3)if you most use soap, make use of hypoallergenic soap.
4)indiscriminate use of antibiotics will depress your immune system and the ability to fight mild infections. It will also deplete the amount of good bacteria in your vagina. Always follow your doctors' orders. 
5)practice safe sex,when you can be faithful use a condom. condoms are cheap and accessible. Don't be shy it's your life we are talking about.

    see your doctor, self medication may cause you more harm than good.

 I hope this write up helps a few,if you have any questions feel free to drop it in the comment section. You can come under anonymous if you so wish..

Ada Ada

We are having the lyrics of a Nigerian song today..Enough of the foreign classics..
Ada Ada is a song from the stables of naija by flavour.The genre of this music is igbo highline. It's the 5th single in the album titled "blessed "that was released in October 18th 2012.

 ADA ADA

Have you seen my beautiful baby?

Have you seen my tomato baby oh? (iyele)

Baby softly dey cool me temper Ada

Baby na sugar sugar iyo


Everybody dey wait

Puta kene n'ogbo

Ife di mma amaka

Better soup na money kill am o

Adanwa ngwa pekem pekem iya

Ada Ada (Oyolima)

Ada Ada iyooo


Ada Ada (Adanwa)

Ada Ada (Chei Asanwa)

Ada Ada (Hei Ada)

Ada n'idi ora nma

Everybody dey wait

Puta kene n'ogbo

Ife di mma amaka

Better soup na money kill am o

Adanwa ngwa pekem pekem iya

Ada Ada (Hei Adanwa)

Ada Ada iyooo


Ada no dey lack Ada

Dem get am for everywhere

Ada no dey lack Ada

Dey get am for up and down

Baby na tomato baby

Too fresh like morning wine

Ada welelei

Iyooo ko ko ko

Everybody dey wait

Puta kene n'ogbo

Ife di mma amaka

Better soup na money kill am o

Adanwa ngwa pekem pekem iya

Ada Ada (Hei Adanwa)

Ada Ada iyooo


Ada Ada (Adanwa)

Ada Ada (Chei Asanwa)

Ada Ada (Hei Ada)

Ada n'idi ora nma

Everybody dey wait

Puta kene na ogbo

Ife di m mma amaka

Better soup na money kill am o

Adanwa ngwa pekem pekem iya

Ada Ada (Hei Adanwa)

Ada Ada iyooo


Ada Ada (Adanwa)

Ada Ada (Chei Asanwa)

Ada Ada (Hei Ada)

Ada n'idi ora nma

Everybody dey wait

Puta kene n'ogbo

Ife di mma amaka

Better soup na money kill am o

Adanwa ngwa pekem pekem iya

Ada Ada (Hei Asanwa)

Ada Ada iyooo


Pekem pekem pekem iya

pekem pekem pekem pekemkem iya ije

pekem pekem pekem pekemkem iya ije

pekem ya ije

pekemkem ya ije

pekem pekem iya pekemkem


Adanwa ngwa welu ya ngwa welu ya ngwa choba ya

Adanwa ngwa welu ya ngwa welu ya ngwa choba ya

Adanwa ngwa welu ya ngwa welu ya ngwa choba ya

Adanwa ngwa welu ya ngwa welu ya ngwa choba ya

Pekemkem pekem pekem iya ijawa ije o ka omee

Mummy bye bye

Daddy bye bye

In nine months time

We will come visiting

With a boy and girl

A na-akpo ejima

Ada Ada iyooo

  I took my time to listen to this song when I heard it being used as an entrance song during the reception of a wedding ceremony. Well actually, it was the choreography of the couple and their train that got me hooked and secondly the high life feel of the background instrumentals appealed to me. 
  I don't really understand the igbo language but the most I understand from this song is that he tried to depict his act of wooing a girl named ada,trying to describe how beautiful and probably homely she is and the courtship paid off because their love affair graduated to marriage with the song coming to a close where he bade his parents farewell with the hope of him paying them visit with a fraternal twin in tow 9 months after the wedding. 


 Dear readers who are igbo by tribe should kindly help us interprete the meaning of the song for better understanding. 

Thanks for stopping by. 





Mabe pearls.

  Pearls are worn as jewelry and a plastic copy is made in the form of beads to be worn by those who can't afford the real pearls

 

  A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl… is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. It could either be natural or cultured.

  Today on getting closer to nature, I would be telling us a little about the mabe pearl..(pronounced May-bay).

   Mabe blister Pearls are quite different from what you might consider “normal” pearls.        They are considered to be “semi-spherical cultured pearls”. Instead of growing inside the body of the mollusk creature, as is the case with other pearls, mabe pearls grow against the inside shell.
  This process causes Mabe pearls to have a flat side, as opposed to being relatively spherical, or at least rounded like standard pearls. This also explains why mabe pearls are frequently called “half pearls”. Mabe pearls come in a wide range of beautiful colors, which span from light pinks, to more bluish shades.

  The oyster in which the mabe pearls are cultured is the pteria penguin.

The winged pearl oyster Pteria penguin is traditionally used for production of mabé pearls i.e. half spherical pearls in Asia and the West Pacific. Although Pteria penguin occurs naturally in tropical Australian waters.

   Now we know penguins are not only birds but there is a marine creature, a mollusc called the pteria penguin which is a source of the beautiful cultured mabe pearls.
 A tip on how to know a real pearl is this;rub the pearl over your teeth if it's smooth then it's not a real pearl because real pearls are gritty.
 Look out for other interesting topics on getting closer to nature same time next week..

 much love from me to you.

musings ;That old beggar

  My experience on my way to work this morning goes thus;
 I was sitted in a tricycle (popularly called keke in Nigeria) waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection. Then I saw heavily built men alight from a bus, they were walking so fast going towards the rear of the tricycle I was sitted in. At that point I was wondering what law enforcement agents were these(I have never come across them before) and what atrocity was committed by who ever they needed to apprehend. while I was still pondering  I saw these men bundle an aged man who wasn't actually deformed from my point of view but apparently he was a beggar on the streets into their bus and they drove away just as the traffic light turned green. That was when the other passenger mentioned in passing that these beggars have being banned by the state government from loitering the streets but they never listen. 

  This whole scenario got me thinking and asking questions , doesn't this old man have children?, Is it that he enjoys begging? , Is it that probably he is an aged farmer who can't till the soil anymore and who isn't on any pension scheme and has to beg as a source of livelihood?,or is it that he realized it's kind of lucrative getting money from motorists based on pity?.

  Well these are many questions that I would never get answers to as regards this man in question but I can discuss what I feel is the root cause of this problem.

 1): that close knit family structure that our forefathers enjoyed is no more and the young ones have all left for the cities to fend for a living, working 9a.m to 5p.m jobs that hardly gives them time to take care of themselves let a lone the aged.

2).most of these people are not pensionable because probably they never worked in the civil service and those who even worked in the civil service are having problems accessing their pensions.

3) there are no institutions put in place that can adequately cater to the aged in our society. mind you some of these old ones may even be suffering from dementia and alzheimers hence the wandering

4) The economy is so harsh that people are yet to afford 3 balanced diet a day and funds to access good health care not to talk of enrolling their aged ones in an old people's home for proper care(honestly I don't know if we have a fully functional one in Nigeria).

The 4 points above a but a few I'm sure you readers would have other reasons you think is the cause of this..

To handle this misnomer,
I wish we don't have to go so far from home in search of sources of livelihood
I wish the youths are employed and earning reasonably well,
I wish the naira has alot of value,
I wish we have love in our hearts to actually cater for and really love those who spent their working years trying to ensure we are who we are today.

I know wishes do come true and I believe some day these will..

Your contribution would be most appreciated..

coward of the county..

 "Coward of the County" is a country song written by Roger Bowling and Billy Ed Wheeler, and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. It was released as the second single from the Triple Platinum album Kenny in November 12 1979.
  The song is about a man's nephew who is a reputed coward, but finally takes a stand for his lover.

The song inspired a 1981 television movie of the same name, directed by Dick Lowry, the film's plot stayed true to the song's lyrics.

"Coward Of The County"

Everyone considered him
The coward of the county
He'd never stood one single time
To prove the county wrong
His mama named him Tommy
But folks just called him yellow
Something always told me
They were reading Tommy wrong

He was only ten years old
When his daddy died in prison
I looked after Tommy
'Cause he was my brother's son
I still recall the final words
My brother said to Tommy
Son my life is over
But yours has just begun

Promise me, son
Not to do the things I've done
Walk away from trouble if you can
Now it don't mean you're weak
If you turn the other cheek
And I hope you're old enough to understand
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man

There's someone for everyone
And Tommy's love was Becky
In her arms he didn't have
To prove he was a man
One day while he was working
The Gatlin boys came calling
They took turns at Becky
N'there was three of them
Tommy opened up the door
And saw Becky crying
The torn dress, the shattered look
Was more than he could stand
He reached above the fireplace
Took down his daddy's picture
As his tears fell on his daddy's face
I heard these words again

Promise me, son
Not to do the things I've done
Walk away from trouble if you can
Now it don't mean you're weak
If you turn the other cheek
And I hope you're old enough to understand
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man

The Gatlin boys just laughed at him
When he walked into the barroom
One of them got up
And met him half way cross the floor
Tommy turned around they said
Hey look, old yeller's leavin'
You could've heard a pin drop
When Tommy stopped and locked the door

Twenty years of crawling
Was bottled up inside him
He wasn't holding nothing back
He let 'em have it all
Tommy left the bar room
Not a Gatlin boy was standing
He said, This one's for Becky
As he watched the last one fall
N' I heard him say

I promised you, Dad
Not to do the things you've done
I walk away from trouble when I can
Now please don't think I'm weak
I didn't turn the other cheek
Papa, I should hope you understand
Sometimes you gotta fight
When you're a man

Everyone considered him
The coward of the county




At the age of 15 while still in secondary school, I loved listening to this song. I still think I had a thing for country music because my school was located in a village..Btw I av always loved kenny's beards it reminds me of the Grand dad depicted in harlequin romance novels with a Texan theme


We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.
Orson Welles

Dealing with premature ejaculation

Does he perform on bed like a 2 minutes instant noodles?

If yes he may just be battling with premature ejaculation.

   Premature (early) ejaculation—also referred to as rapid ejaculation—is the most common type of sexual dysfunction in men younger than 40 years.It occurs when a man experiences orgasm and expels semen soon after sexual activity and with minimal penile stimulation.  It is mostly defined as the occurrence of ejaculation earlier than both sexual partners wish. This broad definition thus avoids specifying a precise “normal” duration for sexual relations and reaching a climax. 

  
 Premature ejaculation may be primary/lifelong or secondary/acquired. Primary premature ejaculation applies to individuals who have had the condition since they became capable of functioning sexually (ie, post puberty) while
Secondary/ premature ejaculation means that the condition began in an individual who previously experienced an acceptable level of ejaculatory control . 

 Causes of premature ejaculation 
1)-primary premature ejaculation 
  
    One psychological explanation for premature ejaculation is that males are conditioned by societal pressures to reach climax quickly because of fear of discovery when masturbating as teenagers or during early sexual experiences with others. 
 -It can also result from deep anxiety about sex that relates to traumatic experiences encountered by the patient during development e.g incest or sexual assa

 2)-secondary premature ejaculation 
   -Performance anxiety is a major factor..e.g fear of failure to satisfy the partner and even the fear that an election will not last may precipitate it. In such cases the patient may blame the early climax on over excitement. 

Management.

 Medical management include several options. Any serious primary medical condition would be treated as well as any accompanying erection problem e.good erectile dysfunction. To achieve the best outcome the female partner should be included fully as possible in the treatment and counseling sessions.

 Nonpharmacologic therapy may include the following:

-Efforts to relief of underlying performance pressure on the male and this is mostly achieved through counseling. 

• -Sex therapy. 
• -Second attempt at coitus – If another erection can achieve be achieved shortly after an episode of premature ejaculation, ejaculatory control may be much better the second time

-Pharmacologic therapy. The managing physician would prescribe drugs as deemed fit. Drugs used are tailored to each individual.

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.
Zig Ziglar

I hope you learnt a thing or two..if you have any questions or contributions don't hesitate to drop it in the comment section. 
 We would be very happy to hear from you

Something new shall be done today.#Today's lyrics

God would make a way By Don moen is my song for today because every one can relate with it no matter the religion you practice.

"God Will Make A Way"

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

No matter what life throws at you always remember the God you serve and if you are an atheist believe in that which you believe because I can assure that something new shall be done today and a way shall be created out of that messy situation. Dearies just be optimistic and have faith and God would surely make a way.

 Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
Elbert Hubbard  

You can drop the link to any song that inspires you to have faith and think positive.
Much love from me to you..

Be inspired

 Like alot of people say, life is what we make out of it. In a way  it's dependent on choices we make, though other people make choices which on the long run affect the outcome of ours.  We have to steer our life by making our own choices. Be it good or bad time will then tell.

The choices we make over time can't necessarily be changed because we can't go back in time but we can manage the effects of our choices in time past by learning from our mistakes and trying to make better choices. 

We may have made mistakes in our past through our life's journey and we may not have. We should be thankful no matter our present circumstance because we are still alive and empowered to change for the better in some aspects of our lives.

The time we use in complaining about our failures of yesterday can be invested in trying new options and actually getting to win.wallowing in what should have been won't avail us the opportunity in working toward what can be.

Instead of always complaining look inward and assess where you are and what you are now despite the turbulence of the past and you will realise that you see the world as very harsh because you dwelt only on the bad side

Above in as much as we all have aspirations and dreams always learn to appreciate what you have already because even when what you aspire for delays that which you have is still with you

Life isn't about finding yourself,it's about creating yourself..

                    .... George Bernard shaw

Happy sunday,happy new week

I hope the above enlightens you on why you should not dwell on the negative but rather dwell on the positive and use that as a driving force to forge ahead..

  I'm sure you all have a lot to be grateful for, why not drop some comments about such situations no matter how little they are so we can join you in being thankful.. 

Much love from me to you. 

 

today's lyrics;bringing back the oldies

Respect is my song for today,actually I never get tired of listening to it and I'm shoving it down your throats today..

"Respect" is a song written and originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. "Respect" became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. While Redding wrote the song as a man's plea for respect and recognition from a woman, the roles were reversed for Franklin's version. Franklin's cover was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered as one of the best songs of the Rock & Roll era, earning her two Grammy Awards in 1968 for "Best Rhythm & Blues Recording" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female", and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin's version by adding it to the National Recording Registry.

"Respect"

(oo) What you want
(oo) Baby, I got
(oo) What you need
(oo) Do you know I got it?
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I don't wanna (oo)
All I'm askin' (oo)
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my profits
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

[instrumental break]

Ooo, your kisses (oo)
Sweeter than honey (oo)
And guess what? (oo)
So is my money (oo)
All I want you to do (oo) for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re ,re)
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit).

So what do you think about the song?what comes to your mind when you listen to it?
 I'm waiting for your contributions.

When shopping is termed a disorder

When some people make statements like 'I just got back from  trading capital and I shopped till I almost dropped',most fans or friends of such people quickly rush to make comments like,'girl you are enjoying '. Yes if things are all equal such people are living their, but when you have a friend who embarks on endless shopping sprees, shops and drops even to the extent of owing, then you need to dig deep.

 People can actually be addicted to shopping and these can pose problems in their lives psychologically and especially financially.

 Shopping addiction AKA compulsive shopping /shopaholism is;

A spending disorder which is
(1) Poorly controlled
(2) Markedly distressful, time-consuming, and which results in familial, social, vocational, and/or financial difficulties
(3) Does not occur in the context of hypomanic or manic symptoms

Here is a classic scenario of a compulsive shopper;

Ms. A says shopping is her primary social activity and entertainment. Though she works full time, she shops three or more times a week, cruising expensive department stores and discount outlets on evenings and weekends. She buys clothing, shoes, makeup, jewelry, antiques, household electronics, and other items.

She says her shopping is spontaneous and impulsive. Shopping gives her an emotional “rush” that is frequently followed by periods of guilt, and she often returns or gives away purchased items. She is disappointed at her inability to control her shopping behavior and ashamed of the financial crises she has caused.culled from current  psychiatry.

 Onset of this disorder is late adolescense to early adulthood with a female to male ratio of may be 9:1. Behaviour exhibited includes frequent shopping, spending inappropriately and even fantasizing about future purchases. The sufferer experiences an irresistible urge which prompts spending and the feeling of guilt and distress developes after shopping. In most cases sufferers are in denial,often feeling embarrassed to disclose their symptoms and they often hide their purchases or even return them to where they bought it.

  The behavior occurs year-round but might intensify around holidays or birthdays. Clothing, shoes, makeup, and jewelry are the most popular items women buy, though men with this disorder may focus on electronics, sporting equipment, or automobile accessories. When not actively buying, patients remain preoccupied with shopping, perusing mail order catalogs or newspaper ads and fantasizing about their next purchases

 Low-income persons who shop compulsively may do so at consignment shops or garage sales. Some studies showed that, the most severe compulsive buyers had the lowest incomes, thus suggesting that:
-lack of money does not prevent compulsive shopping disorder from developing
-severe compulsive shoppers lack the ability to delay their shopping.

If you meet the criteria of a compulsive spender here are tips that can help you prevent shopping binges.

>Pay for purchases by cash, check, debit card.
>Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list.
>Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergency only.
>Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to be spent if you do visit one.
>"Window shop" only after stores have closed. If you do "look" during the day, leave your wallet at home.
>Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.
>If you're traveling to visit friends or reltives, have your gifts wrapped and call the project finished; people tend to make more extraneous purchases when they shop outside their own communities.
>Take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.
>If you feel out of control, you probably are. Seek counseling or a support group

The big question is,'do you spend till you drop and are way buried in debt?..if yes scroll up and read the above again.
 If you have friends that tend to fit the above description, you can direct them to this page to learn a thing or two.